Milwaukee Brewers 2023 Opening Day 26 Man Roster Predictions 3.0

We are a week away from Brewers Opening Day 2023! It can't arrive soon enough. As we enter the closing days of spring training, let's take another look at what the Opening Day roster might look like.

While several roster spots are still up in the air, things are looking quite a bit clearer. There's been a recent round of roster cuts eliminating some candidates but with little time left, there's still a lot more players left in camp than there are roster spots.

Heading into the final week of spring training, let's project what the Brewers 2023 Opening Day roster may look like.

Catchers (2) - William Contreras, Victor Caratini

This hasn't changed from previous projections and with the Brewers optioning Payton Henry, they are the only two catchers left in big league camp.

Infielders (6) - Rowdy Tellez, Luis Urias, Willy Adames, Mike Brosseau, Brice Turang, Luke Voit

It is a very crowded infield picture. Rowdy Tellez and Willy Adames are locked into their positions at first base and shortstop. Mike "Babe" Brosseau has slugged five homers this spring and turned himself into a virtual lock to make the club. With Tyrone Taylor's injury pushing Brian Anderson to see more time in the outfield early on, there's an opening at third base that he's pushing to see some serious time at.

Luis Urias played very well at second base for Team Mexico at the World Baseball Classic and while playing time wasn't necessarily designed for what a player's MLB club wants, we could end up seeing Urias spending most of his time at second base this year.

Then there's the backup infield spots, and it's a tough battle. Owen Miller made the club in the previous roster projection but it's close. Both have performed extremely well and the Brewers have even been putting Miller in centerfield at times and has done well. But as spring gets closer to an end, I'm leaning towards Turang making the roster over Miller.

Turang has nothing left to prove in Triple-A, and while Miller doesn't have anything left to prove there either, Turang's success last season, his maturity and improvement makes me feel the Brewers are finally ready to give him an opportunity. Perhaps there's a way for the Brewers to keep both on the roster, but then there's the case of Luke Voit.

I think Luke Voit makes this team. He's also done everything possible to make this team and he brings a skillset the Brewers could certainly use. He pushed back his opt out date and the Brewers said they liked him and wanted to maintain roster flexibility. It sounds like they're leaning towards adding him but want to take the proper steps first, such as what to do with Keston Hiura, who does not make this roster projection.

Starting Rotation (5) - Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff, Freddy Peralta, Eric Lauer, Wade Miley

The Brewers have said that Adrian Houser is going to be starting the year in the bullpen, which brings to an end whatever battle there was for the fifth and final spot in the rotation. The top four are returning members and they were essentially set in stone from the beginning.

Wade Miley was brought in as a free agent and it was expected that he'd be the 5th starter. After the injury to Aaron Ashby, Miley had the inside track. There are no surprises here.

Bullpen (8) - Devin Williams, Matt Bush, Peter Strzelecki, Hoby Milner, Adrian Houser, Gus Varland, Bryse Wilson, Javy Guerra

There are three spots up for grabs in the bullpen and five legitimate candidates still in camp vying for them.

Locked in to the bullpen are Williams, Bush, Strzelecki, Milner, and Houser. Milner is the only lefty in the group, Houser will be the long reliever, and the combination of Strzelecki-Bush-Williams will be in high leverage situations.

The middle relief roles are yet to be determined, but there are pitchers that have minor league options remaining and some that don't have options left. That is likely to play a big factor in who makes the Opening Day roster.

Jake Cousins and Elvis Peguero already were optioned to the minors despite the Brewers knowing they'll be calling on them plenty during the season. Tyson Miller is another such player with an option remaining that is perhaps deserving of a spot, but may be sent to Triple-A because of his roster flexibility.

The five pitchers vying for three spots are Miller, Varland, Payamps, Wilson, and Javy Guerra. Miller is the only one that can be optioned to the minors, which means he probably will be. Of the four remaining, I have Joel Payamps currently on the wrong side of the cut line.

Gus Varland has been impressive in camp and it's easy to see why the Brewers like him and took a chance on him in the Rule 5. He's tied for the Brewers camp lead with 12 strikeouts and he's done it in just 6.1 IP. The pitcher he's tied with, Freddy Peralta, has 12 Ks in 9.1 IP. Of all the pitchers in camp with double digit strikeouts, Varland has done it in the fewest innings. He's intriguing and Craig Counsell has sung his praises. I have Varland sticking around for Opening Day.

Now the final two spots, Bryse Wilson is a former Top 100 prospect that the Brewers are looking to get back on track. He's pitched well in camp and I think the Brewers are going to give him a shot to pitch in the regular season and see if he can hold a spot going forward.

With one spot left, I have it going to Javy Guerra. It was a tough call between Guerra and Payamps, both of whom were acquired in trades this past offseason. Both have struggled overall in camp, Guerra with a 9.00 ERA and Payamps with a 10.38 ERA and yes I am fully aware these are very small sample sizes.

Guerra simply has the nastier stuff. His fastball velocity is elite and while there may still be some command issues, the ceiling with Guerra is much higher than it is with Payamps, although Payamps likely has a higher floor. Velocity wins in baseball. As pitch velocity goes up, opponent OPS goes down. It's a simple fact. Guerra can sit upper 90s on his fastball and has a solid slider and with the Brewers being willing to send a solid prospect to Tampa Bay to get him, I think Guerra gets the job.

Guerra, who pitched for Team Panama in the WBC, had a pristine 0.00 ERA in 1.2 IP for his home country, including a save. His ugly Cactus League ERA is mostly due to a blow up outing against the White Sox a few days ago, allowing three runs in 0.2 IP. Prior to that outing, Guerra had a 2.70 ERA in the Cactus League.

Also, Payamps is probably the most likely pitcher in this group that could pass through waivers and return to Milwaukee on an outright assignment. Guerra and Wilson would likely be claimed quickly and Varland would have to be returned to the Dodgers if he doesn't make the club.